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THE legal year has opened against a backdrop of turbulence in the capital markets and declining confidence among both businesses and
consumers.
Family barristers have expressed dismay and concern about the decline in the number of applications for child protection orders made by local authorities following a 2,500% increase in court fees. The profession awaits the outcome of an application for judicial review made by four councils this summer concerning this increase. Family barristers are also deeply concerned by recent proposals from the Ministry of Justice which would cut £12m from the budget for family cases. The profession is urging Minister of State Lord Hunt to ensure that high quality representation remains available to all, not just to those who can afford it. The profession is actively engaged in implementing Lord Neuberger’s 2007 recommendations to improve diversity in the profession. It is working on ensuring that women remain in the profession in the equal numbers to which now join it. Finally the profession is delighted to welcome the appointment today of Lord Judge as the new Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.
Tim Dutton QC said:
“2008 has been a busy and challenging year so far. The changes which are occurring to the economy will require lawyers to respond to ncreasing concerns from clients on all fronts be they regulatory, commercial or in family matters. The need for access to justice for the less well off in society is likely to increase as jobs are lost and families are affected by the economic downturn. These are challenging times. As a profession we are continuing to take great steps to improve access and diversity. We are doing so at a time when many members of the publicly funded and young Bar are under increasing pressure. The representation of many of the most vulnerable members of society is a matter of concern as public funding for legal representation is under pressure.”
Family barristers have expressed dismay and concern about the decline in the number of applications for child protection orders made by local authorities following a 2,500% increase in court fees. The profession awaits the outcome of an application for judicial review made by four councils this summer concerning this increase. Family barristers are also deeply concerned by recent proposals from the Ministry of Justice which would cut £12m from the budget for family cases. The profession is urging Minister of State Lord Hunt to ensure that high quality representation remains available to all, not just to those who can afford it. The profession is actively engaged in implementing Lord Neuberger’s 2007 recommendations to improve diversity in the profession. It is working on ensuring that women remain in the profession in the equal numbers to which now join it. Finally the profession is delighted to welcome the appointment today of Lord Judge as the new Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.
Tim Dutton QC said:
“2008 has been a busy and challenging year so far. The changes which are occurring to the economy will require lawyers to respond to ncreasing concerns from clients on all fronts be they regulatory, commercial or in family matters. The need for access to justice for the less well off in society is likely to increase as jobs are lost and families are affected by the economic downturn. These are challenging times. As a profession we are continuing to take great steps to improve access and diversity. We are doing so at a time when many members of the publicly funded and young Bar are under increasing pressure. The representation of many of the most vulnerable members of society is a matter of concern as public funding for legal representation is under pressure.”
THE legal year has opened against a backdrop of turbulence in the capital markets and declining confidence among both businesses and
consumers.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
